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The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jon Head. Neal Brooks gave the invocation. The following member organizations were represented: Allgood, Blount County Rescue Squad, Blountsville, Cleveland, Dallas-Selfville, Holly Springs, Mt. High, Murphree Valley, Nectar, Oneonta, Pine Mountain, Remlap, Ricetown, Rosa, Snead, St. Mountain, Summit, Susan Moore and West Blount. EMA, 9·1·1, Forestry, Special Ops, BREMSS, and District Attorney were also represented. 9·1·1 Director Caleb Branch, Operations Manager Neal Brooks and Board Member Chief Bob Sanford were also present.28 people signed the attendance sheets.

GUESTS – District Attorney Pamela Casey could not attend due to a previous engagement but her staff was present to provide and sponsor the meal. Tommy Liverett of DEC Fire & Water Restoration was also present.

Chairman Head asked for the approval of the minutes of the October meeting. Motion by Chief Ellenburg, seconded by Chief Hill, and carried by voice vote. The Financial Report was approved by a motion from Chief Payne, seconded by Chief Frye, and carried by voice vote.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

CHAIRMAN – Chairman Jon Head presented awards to the Dispatcher of the Year, Lauren Taylor and Fire Fighter of the Year, Chief Arthur Willis. EMT of the Year Shawn Gregory of Blount EMS will receive his award at the annual BREMSS banquet. Chairman Head reminded all departments that their annual equipment inspection reports and financial review statements are due to the Association office by December 31. Reporting forms are available on the Association website. The Veteran’s Day Parade will be Saturday, November 4. The Department of Homeland Security Assistance to Firefighter Grants will open the application date soon so please be ready to submit a grant. The Blount County Ambulance Advisory Committee recommended to the Blount County 911 Board that Blount EMS be awarded the ambulance contract for Blount County effective November 1, 2017. Jon highlighted several aspects of the contract with questions and open discussion from the membership.One point to emphasize is that if you have an issue with an ambulance situation, please let a member of the AAC know so it can be investigated and resolved.

EMA – EMA Director Don Roybal advised that there will be a Winter Weather Exercise at the EOC on November 15. All departments are encouraged to participate as other county-wide organizations and agencies will be present and active. Planning has begun for a full-scale county-wide exercise to be implemented next year. Recent Homeland Security grants that were approved are waiting on the Governor’s signature. Fuelman for October was at 115% of budget.

9·1·1 – 911 Director Caleb Branch reminded all departments to update your contact paging numbers with Neal Brooks. The next phase of the EMT Academy will start in January. Caleb encouraged anyone interested to set an appointment to sit in on a shift with a dispatcher to get an idea of how incidents are handled from inside the 911 Center. Contact the Center to set up your time.

COMMUNICATIONS – Chief Payne reported that the Committee met with Allcomm Wireless to set up minimum specifications for radio models available for purchase to ensure their compatibility with other units, agencies, and the 911 Center.

TRAINING – Training Officer Tim Frye, Jr announced that Basic EMT training will begin at Wallace State / Oneonta Campus on January 8.

FIRE PREVENTION – No report.

EXPLORER POST – Chief Bob Sanford reported that there were 150 Explorers go through the recent weekend program. Assistant Chief Clay Jones has been an Explorer instructor for 7 years and Explorer participation numbers have gone down.

FORESTRY - Forestry Project Specialist Terry Helms announced that this is his last official Fire Association meeting as his retirement will be effective at the end of December. He encouraged support for Forester Matt Tucker as Matt will not have any in-county AFC employee assistance until there is another person hired.

SPECIAL OPS – Chief Willis advised that the light trailer maintained by the Special Ops team needs some maintenance. Tractor Supply may help with donated repair items. If you should need the trailer, please contact Chief Willis or OFRS to request it.

ST. VINCENTS BLOUNT – Chairman Head announced that Michelle Adamson is now Director of Nursing for STV-Blount.

BREMSS – Brian Gober reported that PCR’s are available from him and are also located at the 911 Center and at the EMA office. The BREMSS banquet will be November 13 at the Pelham Civic Center. The stroke system has now gone state-wide with the addition of another district so be sure to call in your incidents to make sure the system can accurately handle your requests.The National Registry now has the capability to do live webinars.Brian is looking for an EVOC training location that would have a suitable driving course nearby.

BLOUNT EMS – No report as Shawn Gregory was working a truck tonight.

AMED – No report.

LAW ENFORCEMENT – No report.

CORONER – No report.

STATE FIRE MARSHALL – No report.

DISTRICT ATTORNEY – The staff of the District Attorney’s office advised that Pamela regrets she could not attend tonight but she is President of their state-wide Victim’s Support Group and had a conflicting event in Montgomery. They asked that anyone that has a question or needs any help to please let them know.

ALABAMA FIRE COLLEGE – After some confusion last month concerning failed or delinquent notifications about con-ed log-ins, most have been received now.

LIFESAVER – No report.

AIR-EVAC – No report.

RED CROSS – No report.

GOOD & WELFARE – No report.

OLD BUSINESS:

 Invoices may be submitted for Health Care Authority reimbursements and radios are an approved item.

NEW BUSINESS:

 The 2018 budget was previously submitted by email for review and discussion. A motion was made by Chief Hill with a second from Chief Payne to approve the proposed budget with no changes. Motion passed by voice vote. (See Attached 2018 Budget)

 Meeting locations for 2018 are as follows:

January4 – RemlapJuly 5 – Pine Mountain

February 1 – West BlountAugust 2 – STV-Blount

March 1 – BlountsvilleSeptember 6 – Holly Springs

April 5 – NectarOctober 4 – Rosa

May 3 – Dallas/SelfvilleNovember 1 – Palisades/Dist. Attorney

June 7 – Mt. High/RicetownDecember ? - Oneonta

 The Oneonta Christmas Parade will be Saturday, December 2 with soup and chili after at Oneonta Fire & Rescue.

 The Alabama Fire Chief’s Conference will be held February 6-9 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa. Registration fees are $170.00 per person before January 15, afterwards $195.00. Tommy Liverett of DEC agreed to sponsor one scholarship.

The next meeting will be January 4 at Remlap Station 1. Stacey Waldrop of VFIS will sponsor the meal at 6:30 with the meeting to follow at 7:00.